Moving from betrayal to blessing.
Communion through Mark’s perspective.
Mark’s gospel describes Jesus meeting with his disciples for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Eating the yeast-less for seven days gives us a glimpse of both the speed and of a spiritual purification of how the Jewish people left Egypt.
All four gospels mention Judas betrayal, Matthew, Mark & John mentions it right away. Of course, John goes on to give us the foot washing with no mention of the communion moment. Luke puts the betrayal after the Lord’s blessing.
Mark writes,
“In the evening Jesus arrived with the Twelve. As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.” Mark 14:17-18 NLT
This all happened in this close, intimate meal, celebrating the oldest celebrations Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, with family and friends.
It’s like sitting down for the family Christmas meal and announcing the worse possible news involving someone at the table – before the blessing!
This timing emphasizes the contrast between Judas’ treachery and the love and community celebrated during the meal.
This abruptness lets us know two things about communion:
1. We live in a world filled with conflict between light and darkness, loyalty and betrayal.
2. By placing the betrayal before the blessings, we see the contrast; first Judas’ then Jesus’ behavior. Jesus comes with themes of love, sacrifice, and even unity within communion.
Family and friend betrayal is the worst, but it doesn’t have to be the final word, leaving years of bitterness, anger and resentment. We can follow Jesus’ lead to get over and beyond betrayal to reconcile, love and stick together. You’ll notice that Judas was the only one who left the room to do the deed. The rest stayed and experienced Jesus’ promise to gather in the future newness of the Kingdom of God!
“As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” Mark 14:22-25 NLT
Can we move from betrayal to blessing as we take communion together in this new year? Will you join me in forgiving those who hurt us. Will you join me in reconciling, even to bless those who have betrayed us?